Objective:To explore significance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)for diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome and its guidance of treatment.Methods:A total of 124 cases with definite organic heart disease and sudden respiratory distress syndrome (measurement group) received measurement of BNP and NT-proBNP to judge whether they suffered from heart failure or not.Another 110 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome but no receiving BNP and NT-proBNP measurement were en-rolled as no measurement control group.Relevant data,including diagnosis time,length of hospital stay,hospitali-zation cost and mortality rate etc,were collected in all patients.Results:Compared with no measurement control group,there were significant reductions in diagnosis time [(24.2±6.4)min vs.(16.3±5.2)min],length of hospi-tal stay [(12.5±3.5)d vs.(8.5±4.5)d]and mortality rate (8.18% vs.4.84%)in measurement group,P<0.05 all;there was no significant difference in mean hospitalization cost between two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion:Measurement of brain natriuretic peptide and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide possesses important value for early diagnosis,elevating therapeutic effect and improving prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syn-drome.

Objective To study risk factors associated with predisposition to Lm -ABM in adult patients and to evaluate the clinical features,management and out in this cohort of patients because Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is the third most common cause of acute community acquired bacterial meningitis (Ac-ABM),after Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitides aetiologies.Methods A descriptive,prospective study carried out in a tertiary grade medical center emergency department in Beijing over a 10 -year period.During the study period,15 patients of Lm- ABM were included.Comparison of episodes of Lm - ABM versus other aetiologies was made.Results Fifteen episodes of Lm - ABM were identified in327 adult Ac - ABM patients.Three cohorts of individuals were vulnerable to Lm - ABM:the elderly ( RR=3.14; 95％ CI 1.84-5.35),the immunocompromised (RR =3.34; 95％ CI2.08-5.38),and pregnant women ( RR 12.48 ; 95％ CI 3.29 ～ 47.39 ).The classic triad of fever,neck stiffness,and altered mental status was present in 40％ (6 of 15) Lm - ABM patients.Similarly,40％ patients had at least one of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples with features met the criteria of typical bacterial meningitis.The coverage of empirical antimicrobial therapy was microbiologically inadequate for 13 ( 86.7％ ) patients.The mortality rate was 33.3％ (5 of 15),and 7 (46.7％ ) of 15 patients led to an unfavorable outcome ( GOS ＜ 4),both of which were significantly higher than those in other aetiologies of Ac - ABM ( P =0.015P =0.009 respectively). Conclusions Our study showed the elderly,the immunocompromised patients,and pregnant women predisposed to Ac - ABM most likely to be Listeria monocytogenes aetiology.In contrast with similar previous reports, the current study showed that patients with meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes did not present with atypical clinical features.A high proportion of patients received empirical antimicrobial therapy that did not cover Listeria monocytogenes.Lm - ABM is still a serious disease that leads to high morbidity and mortality rates.With these important caveats in mind,our findings have implications for clinical practice and food safety policy makers.

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage commonly presents in traumatic brain injury patients, and it may lead to complications such as meningitis, ventriculitis, brain abscess, subdural hematoma or tension pneumocephalus. When misdiagnosed or inappropriately treated, traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage may result in severe complications and may be life-threatening. Some traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage has concealed manifestations and is prone to misdiagnosis. Due to different sites and mechanisms of trauma and degree of cerebrospinal fluid leak, treatments for traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage varies greatly. Hence, the Craniocerebral Trauma Professional Group of Neurosurgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Neurological Injury Professional Group of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized relevant experts to formulate the " Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage in adults ( version 2023)" based on existing clinical evidence and experience. The consensus consisted of 16 recommendations, covering the leakage diagnosis, localization, treatments, and intracranial infection prevention, so as to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage and improve the overall prognosis of the patients.